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I was in Kabul when the tanks first rolled out on its rutted streets, a dead body in their path marking the demise of a fragile state. I was in Jamrud when they first came, carrying their wealth in woven woolen khurjeen balanced across pack animals, babies straddled across donkeys, women veiled, children bedraggled and barefoot. We – the citizens of a state which collaborated with the Central Intelligence Agency to destroy their country – enjoyed the ethnic jewelry and antique fabrics which were sold across the country in expensive boutiques — the last bits of an old life sold off to finance another life in the misery of refugee camps huddled amidst dust and despair.

Today, I am in Lahore as I hear news of the modus operandi of a state which no longer has use for three million Afghans, most of whom had no choice when their homes were bombed by foreign forces in wars that were not of their own making. I hear about the coercion being exercised by officials tasked with the largely forcible repatriation of these men, women and children — the majority of whom have been born here over the past almost four decades. I learn of the detention of the elders of families; I hear the trucks pulling up outside their homes built in shanty towns from the savings of years of labour; I see the trucks being loaded up and then driven to where the elder has been detained. Once the detainee has been released and seated amongst the family and their meager belongings, the truck is instructed to drive them to the border, a border created by another foreign force which divided then ruled, and continues to do so with its insidious agendas being unfolded in Libya, Iraq, and Syria.

Why do I care about this midnight movement of people I may have never met, never chanced to know? Why is it important that the political, humanitarian, and legal aspects of this new executive order be deconstructed? Because the involvement of Pakistan’s agencies in the 10-year war to defeat the Soviet Union in Afghanistan cannot be denied. Because the aggrandisement of Pakistan’s generals through the sharing of billions of US dollars cannot be denied. Because of the movement of thousands of tons of armaments through the National Logistics Cell cannot be denied. Because the victims of the blast that destroyed evidence of the sale of missiles from Ojhri Camp cannot be denied. Because the human tragedy of those who own little and are forced to give up their homes, their fields, their livestock because of global agendas, cannot be denied. Because the loss of dignity when forced to live in a refugee camp, living on handouts cannot be denied. Because the sheer strength of will it takes to rebuild lives in a strange land cannot be denied. Because once the state grants citizenship to those born here – a birthright enshrined in the Naturalization Act of 1926 – that citizenship cannot be denied.

Why don’t you care?

The writer is a human rights activist and former United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for the Population Fund.

Mrec Large

Comments (38) Closed

SameerAug 18, 2016 03:14am

I dont care about my own people, let alone care about strangers. At least there is some merit in that.

SyedAug 18, 2016 08:18am

Its high time for Pakistan to show unprecedented support to Afghans and Afghanistan at all levels. Pakistan should reject all directives from western powers and the Indian theatrics. It is in Pakistan's best interests to have strong relations with a strong Afghanistan.

Azhar HussainAug 18, 2016 09:01am

And what about the rights of Beharis who are Pakistanis? Why can't we air lift them from Bangladesh and bring them over, they are Pakistanis.

BabarAug 18, 2016 09:09am

We do care about the people mentioned in your article. But in them are the people supplying drugs, weapons and refuge to people who massacre our children. We cannot just blame the west for all the wrong doings. They were supported by the Afghan leaders as our leaders are involved in whatever is wrong in Pakistan.
I am sure the Afghan refugees deserved sympathy, but Pakistanis deserves more sympathy who are even in worse condition while living in their own country. My choices hence remain clear.

Nasser Yousaf Aug 18, 2016 09:10am

Last night an hour before midnight, I saw about a hundred or so trucks on the GT Road. The trucks were loaded with broken down beds and other household items and on top of them Sat children and women waiting for the the three-hour long journey to take them to Durand Line, and in fact of the first part of their existence for they all appeared to have been born here. I saw this tragedy unfold in our midst, and wondered at our apathy! This morning I saw Feryal write and I recollected myself and heaved a sigh of relief for there are still some among us who have their souls intact.

ImadAug 18, 2016 09:11am

spot on!

Jawad Aug 18, 2016 09:27am

Afghanis born in Pakistan should be given citizenships as they have no knowledge of their own country

FarhanAug 18, 2016 10:11am

One thing I know only Muslims are suffering it does not matter in which country the belong to.

WaqasAug 18, 2016 10:36am

We have cared for four decades. Now let's care first for our own selves.

Akil AkhtarAug 18, 2016 10:49am

I think to ask Pakistanis to still care about Afghans after 3 decades of hosting them and continuous lack of any respect for Pakistan from them is a bit rich.......

UsmanAug 18, 2016 10:54am

Part I of II

I do!

I went to the US 25 years ago and that country taught me more about Islam and Pakistan than Pakistan itself (I was 18 when I emigrated and had studied at a middle of the run school in Islamabad). US added to my identity and I am proud of it just the way I am for being a Pakistani as well. On the other hand, I have been living in Dubai for the last 3 years and this country makes sure that I am never one of them. What a contrast!

UsmanAug 18, 2016 10:54am

Part II of II

Point being that we should not get married to false concepts of identity and those too that are based on exclusion rather than inclusion. No need to be quixotic either but things like opening up borders without even a visa requirement for all our neighbors I dare say (and without even seeking reciprocity), bringing in Beharis and settling them in Pakistan, splitting our provinces into 10 more, banning guns, barring people who have held any kind of provincial and national seats for life including their next of kin from elections again, and making education compulsory and universal are not pipe dreams - come to think of it they are pretty easy to execute as long as we can master our own insecurities. One who dares to live are the ones whose ideas and models are replicated regardless of their so-called historical, religious, or geographical affinities.

Good to know you care more than Karzai, Ghani, Abdullah, Hikmatyaar, Sayyaf, Dostum... and the list goes on.

KrantiAug 18, 2016 11:29am

Nice retrospection...

arifAug 18, 2016 11:56am

@Azhar Hussain Who cares here... that's the tragedy of Pakistani mind set (specifically ruling authority .. In Pakistan who's ruling you know well)... now same history is repeating in Karachi with Muhajirs but who cares.

AnsaAug 18, 2016 12:59pm

Last week one of labor working at my home was sharing with my mother that he is a guest here now and that he is being moved to Afghanistan. And when i asked are not you happy you are going to your homeland, he said NO I was born here this is my mother land. And I felt the pain which any one can feel who is forced to leave his/her homeland.

vinAug 18, 2016 01:26pm

what happens to the fabled rhetoric of universal Muslim brotherhood? The fallacyof the concept is evident in the statements of many readers here.

ZaraAug 18, 2016 01:47pm

We should care about Afghans because they are our neighbours and we should help strengthen their democracy and economy and we need to do the same in our country. We need to care about the Balcohs, the Sindhis, the "tribal belt" and not just give importance to Punjab. We need to love our people and don't need to define them by their religion. We need give opportunities to our Christians and Hindu citizens. They are forever stuck in low income jobs and that is not acceptable.

AbuBakar SharifAug 18, 2016 01:50pm

We serve Afghans for four decades and suffer economic crisis, drug paddlers, chain of weapon supply for terrorism in Pakistan. Now it's time to send them back to their homeland. Afghan's blames Pakistan for even the death of their livestock on other side of border. I can't understand your logic and point of view Feryal Ali Gauhar.

HusnainAug 18, 2016 01:52pm

@VIN The concept of brotherhood means support your brothers when they need it - it doesn't in any way imply that they are not accountable or they chose to become beggars(figuratively speaking) n stop contributing to the fabric of brotherhood.

After spending decades - and contributing nothing to the pplz and nation of Pakistan - they were becoming a burden on an already fable and weak economy. Secondly their criminal activities were increasing, thirdly (I believe you belong to one of our FINEST neighbor) as many say Humanity is greater than religion - why not play your humanitarian part and take them in? Since the borders are not that far away!!!

HaqueAug 18, 2016 02:12pm

Pakistan must give them citizenship. No ifs and buts about it because most of them are born there. Just because the governments don't get along doesn't mean humans should suffer in the middle of it.

HaqueAug 18, 2016 02:12pm

Pakistan must give them citizenship. No ifs and buts about it because most of them are born there. Just because the governments don't get along doesn't mean humans should suffer in the middle of it.

BilalAug 18, 2016 02:14pm

@Vin - You shall see that pretty soon young chap. Just hold your horses a bit more.

IlamAug 18, 2016 02:14pm

@Farhan - And who are creator of such sufferings.

SadfacesAug 18, 2016 03:17pm

My family hails from Quetta and I have seen the lives of these refugees there, and therefore I can say that "Pakistan has catered to the millions and their generations for over 10 years now and still is." But please do acknowledge that other agencies are using these refugees to destabilize Pakistan and these refugees have taken jobs that should have been for people who actually live here for centuries. This is not the case in Pakistan but in all parts of the world, including Europe where people are fed up of low salaried immigrants from Russian states taking their jobs and creating a situation there. Also consider that Americans are also debating about how to handle the large influx of illegal aliens from South American countries like Mexico and Colombia. Afghans should start training themselves and make themselves work just as hard as Israel did for their people, even if it means to side with India and break away from Pakistan.

HamidAug 18, 2016 03:33pm

I do care.
I do not care about whatever biases and concerns my fellow countrymen have about refugees. Let them have a chance for better life.

Is-SmileAug 18, 2016 04:38pm

Muslims are biggest killers of Muslims. We have done more tyranny on ourselves than any others have done on us. But we are great in blaming others. Must be a conspiracy. Hah.

AhmadAug 18, 2016 05:19pm

There is So much Agony in the world if we look around. Man is Surely an animal. People Who Should care are after their Strategic Depth and Blah blah. These wars everywhere killing millions & at the same time making Millions Homeless.

I just watched a Syrian Kid Survived Airstrike who is just 5 years Old.
And Its never gonna as i see men will always find an excuse to for war, it might be democracy, religion, race, caste, creed, water, resources, oil or whatsoever but MEN WILL KEEP KILLING THEIR FELLOW BEINGS.

And when did we care for our own people, Most of the Killings in Pakistan are done by Pakistanis (TTP, LEJ, LET, or Ahrar). A Change is needed in a wider sense. People need to realize the value of a human life. God This is Really sad.

AhmadAug 18, 2016 05:23pm

@Zara Yeah We should care they are human too.
But Ground reality Tells us Otherwise. OBL killed in our backyard, Mullah of AT killed in Balochistan.

Behram Bashir KhanAug 18, 2016 05:26pm

If we send our Afghan brothers in disgrace, then I would like to remind so-called "brilliant minds" behind this idea that you will lose your "Strategic Depth" envisioned for years. Brotherhood was the "Strategic Depth". Terrorism is just an excuse. In many incidents, there were home grown outfits involved. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has wisely said that refugees did not bring terrorism to Germany and is accepting Syrian refugees with open arms despite criticism, whereas Arab countries are shying away. These Arabs also did provide refuge to Afghans during Afghan war, but when its in their interest we are their brothers. It is shameful we are going against teachings of Islam and our traditions. I want our policy makers to read this link: http://www.unhcr.org/protection/hcdialogue%20/50ab90399/islam-refugees.html

Waleed ElahiAug 18, 2016 05:28pm

We have been nothing but welcoming to you and your people. Yet your countrymen hate us, collude with our enemies and dont miss a chance to destroy our reputition around thw world.

Is this how a people thank their hosts for 20/30 years?

TrueAug 18, 2016 05:28pm

It is sad see then in this situation when because of then money pouring into Pakistan they were OK even that money in their we're not given to them .now they must leave it is sad

HajiKajiAug 18, 2016 05:58pm

we are really the same people, same race, same culture, common history - only separated by an imaginary Durand line.

MudassarAug 19, 2016 11:28am

@Husnain its is unfortunate that while we expect European countries to absorb refugees from war torn islamic countries, we ourselves do not wish to practice what we preach. Its a shame in the name of islamic brotherhood.

Dr. Mohammad KhanAug 20, 2016 08:56am

Not everybody is a bad just a minority. We should give citizenship to all Afghans and also not recognize the Durand line. Let us unite and not divide.

Dr. Mohammad KhanAug 20, 2016 08:57am

Fully agree. Let us unite and not divide. Let pakistan also not recognize the Durand line.

Arshad RazaAug 20, 2016 10:49am

A very rare and true article. We always talk about the refuge, we have given them but don,t talk about the reality of our part in their country and people,s destruction.

Imran ABAug 20, 2016 02:51pm

We should respect and grant rights to the Afghan refugees who have been here for so long . Grant Pakistani nationalities to the ones born here if they so desire.